The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been tapped to also investigate the Good Friday shooting in Barangay Irawan, with authorities saying it remains unclear who shot Corrections Officer 1 Jerson Talon pending ballistic results, despite paraffin tests showing that both he and SSg. Ryan Cris Cabaña had fired their weapons.
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the NBI is best positioned to take part in the investigation, citing the involvement of police officers in the incident.
He added that the Bureau of Corrections is also conducting a parallel inquiry.
Four police officers have been placed under restrictive custody as part of the investigation. Jovencio Badua Jr., chief of the Police Regional Office Mimaropa, identified them as SSg. Jonah Balangan, SSg. Michael Juan, SSg. Joseph Ian Carpio, and Cpl. Renato Bendaña.
Badua said they have been disarmed while their service firearms undergo ballistic examination.
“Sa ngayon ay nagpapatuloy ang masinsinang imbestigasyon. Kasabay nito, ang Internal Affairs Service ay nagsasagawa ng moto-proprio investigation bilang karagdagang mekanismo ng independent review,” Badua said.
Badua said the confrontation began at a wake in Barangay Irawan, where Balangan and Bendaña were allegedly intoxicated while passing by on a motorcycle and figured in an altercation.
The two initially left but later returned with backup, which escalated into a deadly shooting.
The incident left Cabaña, SSg. Jayson Fernandez, and Talon dead.
Authorities and witnesses said Talon fetched his daughter from the wake after getting home when police officers in civilian clothes arrived at their residence.
“Si SSg. Cabaña and SSg. Fernandez ay pumunta sa bahay ni CO1 Talon so… sinabi ni Balangan na si CO1 ang bumugbog sa kanila. So, yon pumunta sila doon, all in civilian clothes. Hinahanap pa namin yong ibang mga testigo at mga witness at yong asawa’t anak ng yumaong CO1… at ah… nagkaputukan doon,” Badua narrated.
The regional police chief emphasized that they cannot give “conclusive details” as they are still waiting “kung kaninong baril ang pumutok at kanino tumama.”
At the scene, investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings and magazines. Parafin tests showed that Cabaña and Talon had discharged their firearms, while Fernandez tested negative, although police said conclusive findings will depend on ballistic results.
Badua said the officers involved may face administrative charges for violations that include intoxication, responding out of uniform, use of an unmarked vehicle, and illegal discharge of firearms. He added that criminal charges may follow depending on the outcome of the investigation.
“Kailangan talaga naka-uniform ang ating police… Violating directives and existing protocols. Hindi po kami makakapayag na hindi po sumusunod sa ating polisya… much more, nakakalimot sa mission ng PNP na mag-prevent at control ng crime,” he said.
The Talon family has been placed under NBI protection as authorities continue to review video footage, witness accounts, and forensic evidence.
In a Facebook post, Talon’s wife, Imelda, said she pleaded with those involved not to shoot her husband, who she said had identified himself as a BuCor personnel.
“Alam ng Diyos kung paano ang pagmamakaawa ko sa inyo… ‘wag n’yong barilin ang asawa ko… nagsabi na siya na taga-BuCor siya di tayo talo di kayo nakikinig dahil wala kayo sa matinong pag-iisip… nasa impluwensya kayo ng alak,” she wrote.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, with calls for transparency and accountability following the incident. (with reports from Gerald Ticke and Cris Dela Cruz)
